Libs secure stronger margin in surprise result

The once-safe Labor seat of Swan has swayed even further to the right, after Liberal incumbent
Steve Irons
secured a 2.52 per cent two-party-preferred swing and second term in the Perth electorate.

The Labor Party had high hopes of regaining former Labor leader
Kim Beazley
’s old electorate, especially after a redistribution meant Swan was once again considered a notional Labor seat, despite a narrow loss in 2007.

But businessman Mr Irons avoided the close tussle experienced in 2007 – where he won by just 164 votes – with victory all but secured on Saturday night.

With just under 75 per cent of the vote counted, the Australian Electoral Commission has Mr Irons almost 2905 votes ahead of star Labor candidate Tim Hammond. Labor still had faint hopes for the seat yesterday.

Swan covers a broad sweep of suburbs south of the Swan River from expensive South Perth through to light industrial and traditional working-class areas such as Belmont.

A Liberal strategist said the result was somewhat of a surprise, as the party was concerned Swan could fall.

“We’re actually a bit surprised," the strategist said. “Hammond fought very hard and was quite impressive."

Mr Hammond, a lawyer, was one of a hand-picked group of candidates contesting key Labor seats in WA.